If like us, every single person you know is currently enjoying a beachside European holiday and you are not, we’ve come to brighten your day.

A brand new Greek taverna will open its’ doors at Marina Mirage next week and with it, comes traditional eats in a casual, make-you-think-you’re-abroad setting.

Elia Greek Island Tavera is all bright blues and Santorini coastal vibes with a bright, seascape mural splashed across one wall and sparkly water views delighting your senses from floor to ceiling windows on another.

It’s the stunning Greek Island vibes you’d love to be soaking up but right here in our very own backyard. Just lovely.

The menu is absolutely packed with the yummiest of dishes and we’ve just decided there simply isn’t enough Greek food in our lives so Elia comes at the perfect time.

Now we all know how much the Greek value family and community and as such, the eats have been designed to share with recipes passed down through generations.

You’ll need to start with dips and pita bread, which are always our downfall because they are so good and we cannot stop eating them. The Taramasolata is a firm favourite, as is the Scordalia (because it’s made of potatoes friends) and there’s a trio situation to sample a few so that’s probably your best bet.

Next up, all the best Greek eats are there for your sampling pleasure including grilled haloumi, marinated olives and Dolmathes (love) plus marinated sardines and homemade pickled octopus for something a little bit different.

Larger plates are delights along the lines of Loukaniko, Greek and orange wine sausage chargrilled and with a lemon dressing, Calamari Tiganito and Prawn Saganaki, cooked in garlic and herbs and topped with feta.

From the grill, you can choose from an array of mouthwatering souvlakis, Arni Sti Souvla – spit roasted lamb served with roasted Mediterranean vegetables and a grilled swordfish and scallops dish that’ll transport you right to the shores of a sparkly Greek Island.

If you’re hard pressed to decide, opt for a hot, cold or meat-filled share platter for a minimum of two people.

Vegans need to not worry about being left out, there’s a sizeable section dedicated to you including dishes like Cypriot Grain Salad, Vegan Moussaka and a baked capsicum and tomato delight stuffed with rice and served with lemon potatoes. We non-vegans will definitely be indulging in that one too.

Sounds like the perfect Sunday afternoon feasting slash water view situation to us.

Honestly you may as well be in the Greek Islands.

LOCATION: Marina Mirage, Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
HOURS: TBC

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

How fun is it watching the (overly excessive we think) Instagram stories of all your friends currently enjoying a European summer holiday while you slog it out at the office. Yep, not that fun.

HOWEVER, we bring you news of the next best thing. Greek food, of which there is not enough on our golden shores in our opinion. Luckily Robina Town Centre newbie Zeus Street Greek is putting a stop to that with a delicious assortment of eats that’ll have you hot footing it over there quick smart.

Because get this friends, there are Haloumi Mac and Cheese Balls and you can dip them in harissa aioli and step aside because all of them are ours. Sorry, we’re calm.

Not only those though, the main attraction are the pitas and they are the goods. We think lamb is the place to start so grab yourself The Zeus which has yes, lamb, plus smoky eggplant dip, Aegean slaw, onion and parsley. Taste sensation.

If you’re in the market for a different meat, perhaps go for the Harissa Schnitzel with chicken, harissa aioli, quinoa tabouli and white cabbage.

All the meaty versions are made with flame-grilled goodness served straight from the spit and that is some mouth-watering stuff.

Oh AND there’s a soft shell crab with rocket, fennel slaw, caper dill aioli and mint and it may just be our new favourite thing in the whole world. Of course there are pork and vegetarian options so you can go back for more every day of the week if you like.

For sides, because obviously you need sides, you should sample the Loaded Yia Yia’s Chips. They’re covered in slow cooked beef brisket, harissa aioli, smoky yoghurt, feta and fresh sliced chilli. Or, if you’re shredding for summer, give the Roasted Cauliflower salad with smoky yoghurt, pomegranate and mint a go.

It’s all amazing and here’s some even better news, this Saturday the 4^th of August, Zeus Street Greek will be serving up free pitas as part of ‘I Love Free Pita Day’ which is one of the best days ever obviously. They’ll be giving away freebies from 12pm to 3pm and they’ll donate $2 to OzHarvest – Australia’s number one food rescue organisation.

Freebies will include the tasty Tzimmy Classic Chicken and the Lamb Pitas and they’ll be available for free until sold out.

So you better beat us there is all we’re saying.

LOCATION: Robina Town Centre, Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina
HOURS: Monday to Wednesday 11.30am to 10.30pm and Thursday to Sunday 10.30am to 10.30pm

Words by Kirra Smith

Summer in Australia means three things; scorching heat, frosty beverages and sports. All of which compliment one another perfectly (unless you’re a player of said sports obviously), good one Oz.

Just in time for what might in fact be the hottest summer of all (don’t quote us on that) comes a brand new venue serving up all of the sports you could possibly hope to consume in one season, frosty cold beverages AND some perfectly good eats to accompany all of the above.

The Sporting Globe is the name of the exciting newbie and it can be found on The Promenade at Robina Town Centre overlooking the lake. Open as of the last few days the venue is very spacious, catering for 330 people with a pool table, centre island bar, extensive indoor and outdoor seating and a beer garden slash deck situation.

There are 50 high definition screens including two, 5m2 screens and a nine-screen video wall, so there’s absolutely no way you’ll miss a second of any of the summer sporting action.

Local Gold Coast brothers Mark and Brad Vigus have come on as franchisees to launch the Robina venue and with a strong sporting background, they’re definitely the best blokes for the job.

The premise behind The Sporting Globe is obviously a commitment to broadcasting live sport from across the globe but the venue is also very family-friendly and everyone and anyone who wants a laidback outing with good food and an even better atmosphere.

Speaking of food, the menu is a winner too. As you’d expect, a venue based on all things sport needs a menu to accompany it and The Sporting Globe has delivered.

From signature wings to loaded chicken parmis, stacked burgers and of course, healthy bowls in case you’re feeling that way inclined, everything you could possibly want is covered.

There’s also a VERY refreshing cocktail menu on offer with a few fruity faves to help beat the heat and of course, a range of tap and bottle beers (by the bucket if you please) because, sport and a nicely curated wine list if you feel a little bit fancy.

So, since summer is here and it’s practically an Aussie rite of passage to be watching all the sport and drinking all the things, The Sporting Globe is a godsend.

Go forth and get it.

LOCATION: The Promenade, Robina Town Centre, Robina

Words and photos by Kirra Smith